The United States of America is a federal republic comprising fifty states, mostly in central North America. The continental U.S. has three land borders, two with Canada and one with Mexico, and one territorial waters boundary with Russia. It is otherwise bounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Bering Sea, the Arctic Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean. Of the 50 states, however, there are two, Alaska and Hawaii, which are neither contiguous with the other forty-eight nor with each other, and the U.S. has also a collection of districts, territories, and possessions around the world. Each of the fifty states has a high level of local autonomy under the system of federalism.

History

U.S. Constitution

The United States Constitution is the founding document of the United States of America as well as the supreme law of the land, which was adopted on September 17, 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Generally speaking, it is an attempt to form a comprehensive foundation of governing and political principles/precepts the United States is to live by.

Belief in God

The population of the United States has always had a strong belief in God. Currently more than 90 percent of the population profess to be theists, with approximately 80 percent identifying themselves as Christians. These figures has been corroborated by a several national polling agencies, and the numbers have remained fairly consistent for than 70 years. For example, a Newsweek poll in March 2007 reported 91% belief in God, and 82% Christian.[1] A poll released by Gallup in June 2011 found nearly identical results of 92 percent. Since Gallup has been asking the question about belief in God, the number has remained persistently above 90% as far back as 1944.[2] Another extensive survey also performed in 2007 by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life found 78.4% of adults in the U.S. professed to be Christian, 4.7% were affiliated with other religions including 1.7% Jewish and .6% Muslim. Only 1.6% declared they were atheists and 2.4% agnostic.[3]

These beliefs are credited to the strong Christian heritage of the United States. Christianity is acknowledged as deeply rooted by both historians and scholars. Many of the colonies that became the United States were settled by men and women of deep religious convictions who in the seventeenth century crossed the Atlantic Ocean to practice their faith freely. When the new governments were formed at the state and national levels, most American statesmen shared the convictions of their constituents that religion was "indispensable to the maintenance of republican institutions" (Alexis de Tocqueville).[4]

The Eighteenth century federal government was particularly guided by a Biblical "covenant theology". Church services were held in the House of Representatives, and attended by the President. The government sponsored the publication of the Bible and required Christianmoral conduct within the armed forces. Congress proclaimed national days of "thanksgiving", as well as days of "humiliation fasting and prayer".[5] In addition, the founders of the American nation went to great lengths to define the role of religious faith in public life and the degree to which it could be supported by public officials. During this period, congress appointed chaplains for the armed forces and itself, which continue to lead prayer each day during proceedings of the House of Representatives. The Congressional prayer for any given day can be read on the U.S. House of Representatives website.[6]